Baby Bargains: The Textbook

Preparing for a new baby feels like a very materialistic, commercial affair. There are a million objects out there - many of which are crazy cute and tempting, not to mention unnecessary. (Why yes, I should buy this battery powered fan for my baby's SUV-sized stroller.)

While we've been keeping an eye on local listserves for some used items, there are some big ticket items we prefer buy new, like the stroller, crib and car seat. Baby Bargains has been recommended to us by countless friends and it has been helpful as we enter into the world of buy buy Baby and other stores with aisles and aisles of "necessary" objects. (What is the name of this store supposed to suggest? "Goodbye baby, I need to go shopping"?)

We decided we couldn't wait and bought the 2011 version. A new one will be released later this spring. Help support this blog by purchasing your copy through our Amazon store.

What items did you find most useful for the first year of your baby's life?

Baby Shower Idea: Wishes for Baby

A sweet baby shower idea

and departure from the usual "games"

At a recent baby shower, the hostess asked guests to write wishes for the baby on colorful hearts. Each heart had the beginning of a sentence. For example, "I hope you become...", "I hope that you...", "I hope you never forget..."and "I hope you get..." The guests each finished a sentence on a heart and then the mother-to-be left with a jar of wishes that could be hung on the wall or saved in a memory book. Beautiful!

What "games" have you enjoyed at baby showers?